USPTO Patents Application 09778371

FEB-23-2004 12:30

PROCTER&GAMBLE

5136263499

P. 05/09

Appl. No. 09/778,371

Amdt Under 37 CFR § 1.1 16 dated February 23, 2004
Reply to Final Office Action of December 23. 2003

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

This listing of claims will replace ail prior versions, and listings, of claims in the
application;

1* (Canceled)

2. (Previously Presented) An absorbent article comprising:

(1) abacksheet;

(2) a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet;

(3) an absorbent core disposed intermediate to the topsheet and the backsheet;

(4) a thermal cell actuator which adds or removes heat from at least a portion of the
absorbent article upon actuation so as to result in a useful function selected from the
group consisting of:

a) maintaining the article at a predefined temperature,

b) maintaining relative humidity in a volume between a wearer and the article
when the article is worn

c) melting a material disposed on the article,

d) changing a mechanical property of a different component of the article,

e) changing the breathabiiity of a component of the article, and

f) changing the vapor pressure of a material disposed on the article; and

(5) a triggering mechanism connected with the thermal cell actuator whereby a non-
urine based signal within the article causes the thermal cell actuator to add or remove
heat from at least a portion of the absorbent article.

3. (Canceled)

4. (Currently Amended) The absorbent article of claim 4- 2 wherein the thermal cell
actuator performs the function at a location between the backsheet of the article and the
skin of the wearer in response to a change in relative humidity, moisture, or temperature.

5. (Currently Amended) The absorbent article of claim 4- 2 wherein the thermal cell actuator
performs the function in response to the application of a tensile force by a caregiver to
extend a portion of the article, or in response to the application of a normal force to
compress a portion of the article by a caregiver.

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FEB-23-2004 12:31

PROCTER&GAMBLE

5136263499 P. 06/09

Appl. No, 09/778,371

Amdt Under 37 CFR § 1.1 16 dated February 23, 2004
Reply to Final Office Action of December 23, 2003

6. (Currently Amended) The absorbent article of claim 4 2 wherein the action of the
caregiver is an application of a tensile force to peel a tab exposing an opening in the
thermal cell actuator which allows for the activation of said actuator.

7. (Currently Amended) The absorbent article of claim 4- 2 wherein the thermal cell
actuator controls humidity or temperature in the article.

8. (Cancelled)

9. (Canceled)

10. (Canceled)

11. (Currently Amended) The absorbent article of claim 4 2 wherein the thermal cell
actuator includes a Peltier cell.

12. (Currently Amended) The absorbent article of claim ± g comprising a thermal cell
actuator that provides a constant temperature in a region of the article during use of the
article of about 15 6 to about 25° Celsius.

13. (Original) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the thermal cell actuator is not in
contact with the wearer* s skin when the article is worn.

14. (Original) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the thermal cell actuator is in vapor
communication with the wearer's skin such that vapor can cond e nsat e condense inside
the article.

15. (Original) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the thermal cell actuator is triggered
by a user during application of the article.

16. (Original) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the constant temperature in the
region is maintained for at least 1 hour.

17. (Currently Amended) The absorbent article of claim 4- 2 wherein the thermal ceil actuator
changes a mechanical property of a different component of the article.

18. (Original) The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein the component of the article is a
waist opening or a cuff opening.

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FEB-23-2004 12:31 ^ PR0CTER8.GAMBLE

5136263499 P. 07/09

Appl. No. 09/778,371

Amdt Under 37 CFR §1.116 dated February 23, 2004
Reply to Final Office Action of December 23, 2003

19. (Currently Amended) The absorbent article of claim ± 2 wherein activation of the thermal
cell actuator results in a change in the vapor pressure of a material disposed on the article.

20. (Original) The absorbent article of claim 19 wherein the thermal cell actuator provides at
least a portion of the article with a temperature of less than about 25° Celsius.

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